If you’re on the hunt for the right gym, approach it like finding the perfect life partner: Consider your gym selection as your partner in health.

1. Do you have the same values? Evaluate what features are most important to you and then make sure the gym you select is a match. Want a menu of group fitness classes to select from? Maybe you want lots of circuit machines to challenge yourself. The gym you select should have what you care about most.

2. Going solo or all in the family? If your kids are young, find a gym with quality childcare options. If they’re old enough to use the gym, find one that offers a nice price point for the whole family to sign up. Some gyms may even have events for kids, spas, cafes for family dining and other family-friendly perks.

3. What’s your budget? Consider initial fees and monthly dues and find out what’s included in that price. Don’t forget to ask about discounts or special packages offered, and consider that you may not want to get locked into a long-term contract if it has early termination fees.

4. Where is it located? Consider making your life easier by not having a long commute to the gym. If your gym is near your house or work, you’ll be more likely to show up and use that membership.

5. Want some personal attention? A lot of gyms have personal training packages or personal trainers who can give one-on-one attention. Learn about the programs offered. Ask to make sure the personal trainers hold a certification(s) accredited by the NCCA. Be sure to check out what’s available before becoming a member.

— Life Fitness

Number to Know

400,000: 400,000 people in the U.S. are living with multiple sclerosis, a progressive, chronic disease that impacts a person’s central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerves. MS prevents the nerves from transmitting messages between the brain and other parts of the body, which results in different and unpredictable physical and cognitive problems that can be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or more severe, such as loss of vision or diminished mobility of the arms and legs.

— Brandpoint

Children’s Health

Sugary drinks

Almond milk, soy milk and whole-food juices, made by blending whole fruits and vegetables in a high-performance blender like a Vitamix, can keep you hydrated and satiated. When reaching for a thirst quencher or giving one to your kids, try to avoid sugary drinks such as soda and processed fruit juice, which add calories without much nutritional value.

— Brandpoint

Senior Health

Page 2 of 2 - Overactive bladder

More than 46 million adults in the United States experience overactive bladder symptoms at least some of the time. Despite this, the burden of the disease is often underestimated due to reluctance of OAB patients to seek medical attention. As few as one in five men and one in eight women with OAB symptoms, including urgency, frequency and urinary incontinence seek treatment.

— Brandpoint

New Research

Knee surgery

The most common orthopedic procedure performed in the United States is under question. According to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, athroscopic partial meniscectomy — knee surgery — fails to help many patients recover from knee pain, whether from wear or an injury.